Sir, – The recently highlighted flight of teachers abroad in search of meaningful employment is leaving not just schools short but Irish society more broadly (Peter McGuire, "Flight of the teachers could leave Irish schools short", Education, March 28th).
Teaching in the Irish context has historically attracted the brightest and the best. Recognition of the importance of the work of teachers as well as the complexity of the role was recently recognised in the move to a master’s level qualification. This represents a significant investment both by individual teachers, as well as by the State.
Investment in the training of our teachers in the knowledge that this will have a positive impact on pupil experience and pupil achievement, only to see these teachers emigrate, makes no economic sense.
Many student teachers are forced to take out substantial loans and work long hours in casual employment in order to fulfil their ambition to become a teacher. Many are forced to emigrate post-qualification in order to secure employment that will allow them to pay back these loans.
Adequate funding to support student teachers in training as well as the chance to earn a decent livelihood once qualified are basic expectations of the profession. – Yours, etc,
Dr JUDITH HARFORD,
School of Education,
University College Dublin.